What is Port 443? Everything You Need to Know About HTTPS Port 443

Have you ever heard of HTTPS Port 443? The answer may be ‘Yes’ from many of you but, you don’t know in-depth about this useful protocol. In this article, we will discuss HTTPS 443 port. Before that, let us discuss Port and its usage.

What Are Ports For?

Ports are marked with numbers to manage a transaction happening over a network, along with specifying the host and service. For example, the default port number for SMTP is 25, so emails related information packets will be delivered on such ports.

When a client connects to the server, it requires an IP address and port number. These two kinds of stuff decide about the service type with which a client wants to communicate. So, the data can be passed to the right application.

Here, the port decides the path of service to the correct host to avoid traffic mixed up. You can disable the port that is of no use. By disabling the port, you can minimize the chance of cyber-attack.

What is Port 443?

HTTPS Port 443 or Port 443 is used for web browser communication. HTTPS is an indication that the website is secured with an SSL certificate. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP (Port 80). An extra “S” shows that the website is protected with a robust algorithm.

Why Port 443 is Important?

Port 443 is a standard port for secured traffic moving between the browser and the server. HTTPS is now necessary for each browser as most browsers flag insecure if the site loads on an insecure HTTP version instead of HTTPS.

Port 443 makes the webpages available on both HTTP and HTTPS. However, secure pages load over Port 443, but if for any reason the port 443 is not available, then the website will be loaded over the secured connection on Port 80.

Earlier, HTTPS was not widely spread, so it is quite difficult to load a webpage over a secured version. After Google’s initiative, major browsers have accepted HTTPS as a priority. Encryption is necessary to provide a shield for traveling information like login credentials, financial information between the client and the server. These browsers mark websites insecure if they do not load over HTTPS.

How to configure/Enable HTTPS Port 443?

Here we have given an example of the Microsoft Firewall control panel on which we will explain to enable HTTPS port 443.

Choose Start >Run and enter “firewall.cpl”, it will open the windows firewall control panel.
Click on Advance settings
Click on Inbound Rules in the left column.
Click New Rules in the right column.
Select Port and click Next.
Now, select TCP and enter the desired port number (443) in the port field. Click Next. Select Allow connection and click Next.
Now, choose Domain and Private. Click Next.

Give WCF-WF 4.0 Samples name and click Finish.

finish

Click Outbound Rules and repeat steps# 3 to 7.

How Does HTTPS Work?

HTTPS- a secured version of HTTP works on TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol. In recent time, the asymmetric algorithm is used to secure the traveling data between the user and the server.

In an asymmetric algorithm, a public key is used to encrypt the data, while a private key is used to decrypt the data. In the handshake process, the private key is only known to an intended person and kept on the server to avoid data sniffing and exposure of a private key. Because if a private key is exposed, the security will be void.

In the TLS handshake process, a user requests the server via a browser, and the server responds with the installed SSL certificate. They both (browser and server) agree on the same cipher suite, including encryption algorithm.

Once the connection is established, both can exchange messages using agreed keys and algorithms. TLS/SSL handshake process can be broken down into five steps shown below.

Client Hello: The first step in which the server asks the client about details, including SSL version, cipher details, session data.
Server Hello: A client deals with the requested information (SSL version, session data, cipher settings) in the “Client Hello” process.
Authentication and Pre-Master Secret: A client authenticates the received certificate with required details like common name, Date, certificate issuer. A client then creates a pre-master secret for the session on the base of the selected cipher suite. A client encrypts a pre-master secret and send it to the server.
Decryption and Master Secret: The server has already a private key with which it decrypts a received pre-master secret. After that, both the server and the client create a master secret on a pre-decided cipher suite.
Encryption with Session Key: Finally, both the client and the server do an exchange of encrypted messages and confirm that the future messages will also be encrypted.

What Does HTTPS Port 443 Protect and Why Do We Need It?

HTTPS Port 443 does not require a port number and can be accessed with a domain name like https://youdomain.com. HTTPS is an application layer protocol also a part of the TCP/IP and OSI model.

HTTPS is a secured protocol and assures the user that even your internet service provider cannot sniff ongoing information taking place between the server and the browser. HTTPS Port 443 encrypts the private and financial information by adding data privacy and data integrity.

A website with a TLS/SSL certificate shows an indicator of HTTPS and a secured padlock in the browser’s address bar. It means the website’s identity is verified, and the data will remain encrypted.

It is to note that SSL only secures the data travels between two ends (the client machine and the server). It does not secure the whole website, which means a hacker can find a security vulnerability in the server or website and may take advantage of it. So, only SSL is not enough to secure your computer or server.

A malicious actor can download malware by visiting any malicious site, infiltrate the system with drive-by download attacks or provide data on phishing sites.

If we talk about the importance of HTTPS Port 443 then, it is necessary to have a secured website in today’s time. With the rising crime related to data leaks and data sniffing, HTTPS can secure the data flowing between the website and the user.

On the contrary, the information passed between the server and the browser via HTTP remains in plaintext. With the use of HTTPS, customers will have trust in your website, and they would like to visit the website confidently.

Conclusion:

HTTPS Port 443 plays a remarkable role in the current time when data confidentiality is necessary. If you have not yet switched your website to HTTPS then, it is a good time to do it. You can give your customers enhanced website security and confidence to deal with the website.

Save your data from eavesdropping attack and provide a secure environment to your customers with HTTPS Port 443.

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